song and dance

song and dance  {n.},  {informal}
1. Foolish or uninteresting talk; dull nonsense. Usually used with "give".
I met Nancy today and she gave me a long song and dance about her family.
2. A long lie or excuse, often meant to get pity. Usually used with "give".
Billy gave the teacher a song and dance about his mother being sick as an excuse for being late.
The tramp asked us for money and tried to give us a big song and dance about having to buy a bus ticket to Chicago.
Categories: {informal} {n.}